I'm moving to Berkeley this Friday to start up grad school and I'm looking forward to exploring the kite beaches near Berkeley and around the Bay Area. I'm an experienced warm water kiter, learned in Puerto Rico in 2009 and then lived in Tanzania and kited many many days in Zanzibar. Most recently, this June and July I lived in the village in Zanzibar (Paje) where I could kite 5 to 6 days per week. I really miss that sweet slice of paradise and I'm hoping to get in a couple of days per week on the water.

If anyone around Berkeley is looking for a riding buddy or if anyone has some free time to act as a Bay Area Kite Guide, reply here or send a PM, I will have regular access to a car. Look forward to meeting some friendly folks!!

You should check out Racetrack... its a good starting spot this time of year . Berkeley has a tough launch... Marina Bay is fabulous and I've heard the Toll Plaza is nice but watch out for a Silver Nissan w/ some thugs rolling around looking for trouble. Those are your closest spots... then of course Sherman Island.

As for RPM's check out the NWkite forum classifieds. Probably best deal you can find for used RPM's, people are generally very trustworthy.

Thanks! As an addicted kiter I'll definitely look into an ikitesurf subscription!

I am pretty experienced with about 70 days of warm water riding in side, side-on, and side-off conditions, very good at riding up wind both under and over powered (150lbs). I look forward to meeting locals and hearing what they have to say about their spot, its the first thing to do when I arrive some where new.

AJr wrote:Thanks! As an addicted kiter I'll definitely look into an ikitesurf subscription!

I am pretty experienced with about 70 days of warm water riding in side, side-on, and side-off conditions, very good at riding up wind both under and over powered (150lbs). I look forward to meeting locals and hearing what they have to say about their spot, its the first thing to do when I arrive some where new.

Just a note of caution since you mention that you are comfortable with side-on/off conditions. Race Track, Berkeley, and Sherman Island are onshore spots. Make sure you are okay going upwind ALL the time before heading out. Toll Plaza is a bit more forgiving, and Alameda is a cake walk (but the wind never blows there!).

AJr wrote:Thanks! As an addicted kiter I'll definitely look into an ikitesurf subscription!

I am pretty experienced with about 70 days of warm water riding in side, side-on, and side-off conditions, very good at riding up wind both under and over powered (150lbs). I look forward to meeting locals and hearing what they have to say about their spot, its the first thing to do when I arrive some where new.

Just a note of caution since you mention that you are comfortable with side-on/off conditions. Race Track, Berkeley, and Sherman Island are onshore spots. Make sure you are okay going upwind ALL the time before heading out. Toll Plaza is a bit more forgiving, and Alameda is a cake walk (but the wind never blows there!).

Thanks for the heads up. I just saw kites out at Berkeley Marina on Friday while I was moving in and saw the on shore direction. I look forward to meeting the locals and making a few friends! See you guys on the beach!